macOS has a built-in screen recorder you don't need to read

Your Mac comes with Screenshot, an app that records video of your screen without requiring any third-party software. You open it with Shift + Command + 5, choose to record the whole screen or just a window or portion, and the video saves to your desktop or clipboard. The file is an MP4 video that plays in any media player and opens in editing software like iMovie or Final Cut Pro.

The same tool that takes still screenshots also records video, so if you've used your Mac's screenshot feature before, you already know where to find the recording controls. The process takes about 30 seconds from start to finish, and you can stop recording by clicking the stop button in the menu bar or pressing Command + Control + Escape.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app, which includes a screen recording option built into every Mac.
  • Choose whether to record your entire screen, a specific window, or a selected portion of the screen before you start.
  • Click the Record button, then stop recording from the menu bar or by pressing Command + Control + Escape.
  • Your video saves as an MP4 file to your desktop by default, though you can change the save location in Screenshot options.
  • The built-in recorder captures audio from your microphone if you turn that option on, but does not record system audio (sounds from apps) without additional software.

Opening Screenshot and selecting record mode

Press Shift + Command + 5 on your keyboard. A toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen with five buttons on the left side. The first two buttons take screenshots (full screen and window), and the last three control video recording. The fourth button from the left records your entire screen; the fifth button records a selected portion.

If you want to record just one window—say, a browser tab or a single app—click the fourth button, then hold down Shift and click the window you want to record. The window will highlight in yellow to show it's selected. If you want to record only part of your screen, click the fifth button and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture.

Before you start recording, check the options panel on the right side of the toolbar. You can choose where to save the file (Desktop, Documents, a specific folder, or Clipboard), set a timer to start recording after a delay, and turn microphone audio on or off. If you want to record your own voice explaining what's happening on screen, turn the microphone on. If you want a silent recording, leave it off.

Starting and stopping your recording

Once you've selected what to record and set your options, click the Record button (the filled circle icon on the right end of the toolbar). A three-second countdown appears, then recording begins. You'll see a red dot in the menu bar at the top of your screen to remind you that recording is active.

Perform whatever actions you want to capture—open files, click buttons, type text, navigate websites. Everything you do on screen will be recorded. When you're finished, click the red dot in the menu bar and select Stop, or press Command + Control + Escape. The recording stops when ready and a notification appears asking where you want to save the file.

If you set the save location to Clipboard instead of a folder, the video is copied to your clipboard and you can paste it directly into another app like Messages, Mail, or a document. If you chose Desktop or a folder, the MP4 file appears there with a timestamp in the filename (for example, "Screen Recording 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.mp4").

Changing where recordings save and adjusting audio settings

The Screenshot toolbar's options panel lets you control two important settings before you record. The first dropdown menu, labeled with a folder icon, shows where your video will save. Click it to choose Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, Mail, Messages, Notes, or a specific folder you've already created. Most people use Desktop so the file is straightforward to find.

The microphone dropdown next to it controls audio input. If you leave it set to "None," your recording will be silent. If you select your Mac's built-in microphone or an external microphone you've connected, your voice will be recorded along with the screen video. This is useful for tutorials or explanations but not necessary for silent recordings.

You can also set a timer by clicking the clock icon. Choose 5, 10, or 15 seconds, and the recording will start automatically after that delay. This gives you time to position windows or prepare before capture begins. These settings stay in place until you change them again, so if you always record to the same folder, you only need to set it once.

What the built-in recorder captures and what it doesn't

The Screenshot app records everything visible on your screen—windows, text, images, video playback, cursor movement, and anything else displayed. If you turn on microphone audio, it captures your voice and any sounds from your microphone input. However, it does not record system audio—the sounds that apps themselves produce, like music from Spotify, audio from a YouTube video, or notification sounds.

If you need to record system audio along with your screen, you have two options. You can use a third-party app like ScreenFlow, OBS, or Camtasia, which are available in the Mac App Store or from their developers' websites. Alternatively, you can play audio through your microphone by using a virtual audio cable app, though this is more complex and usually unnecessary unless you're doing professional video production.

The video quality depends on your screen resolution and the size of the area you're recording. A full-screen recording on a modern Mac produces a clear, sharp MP4 file that's suitable for sharing, uploading, or editing. File size varies—a few minutes of recording typically takes 50 to 200 MB of storage, depending on how much motion is on screen.

Editing your recording after you save it

Once your MP4 file is saved, you can edit it using iMovie (included free on most Macs), Final Cut Pro, or any other video editing software. Open iMovie, click File > New Movie, drag your MP4 file into the project, and you can trim the beginning or end, add titles, adjust audio levels, or combine it with other clips.

If you only need to trim a few seconds from the start or end, you don't need editing software. Right-click the MP4 file, select "Open With" > "QuickTime Player," and use the Edit menu to trim the video. Save the trimmed version as a new file so you keep the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record multiple monitors at once?

The built-in Screenshot app records one screen at a time. If you have multiple monitors connected, you can record your main display or select a different monitor from the toolbar options. To record both monitors simultaneously, you would need third-party software like OBS or ScreenFlow.

Why is my recording silent even though I turned on the microphone?

Check that your microphone is not muted in System Settings. Open System Settings, go to Sound, and verify that your microphone is selected and the input volume is not at zero. If you're using an external microphone, make sure it's plugged in and selected as the input device in Sound settings.

How do I record system audio like music or video sound?

The built-in Screenshot app does not record system audio. You'll need third-party software like ScreenFlow, OBS, or Camtasia, which can capture both your screen and the audio playing from apps. These are available in the Mac App Store or from their developers' websites.

Can I record just my webcam instead of my screen?

The Screenshot app is designed for screen recording only. To record your webcam, use Photo Booth (included on your Mac) or a third-party app like OBS. Photo Booth is simpler if you only need a basic video of yourself.

What format is the video file, and can I play it on other devices?

Screen recordings save as MP4 files, which play on Windows, Android, iOS, and most media players and websites. You can email the file, upload it to YouTube or Google Drive, or share it via messaging apps without converting it to a different format.